How far is McLean, OH from Columbus, OH?

The driving distance from McLean, OH to Columbus, OH is about 44.1 miles (70.9 km), with a travel time of about 00h 54m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
44.03 mi
00h 54m
Flight
37.11 mi
59.73 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from McLean.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
37.11 mi
Kilometers
59.73 km
Flight Time
00h 04m

Driving Distance

Road route
44.03 mi
Kilometers
70.86 km
Drive Time
00h 54m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 54m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Columbus
Wed, Apr 15, 6:15 AM EDT
Return by in McLean
Wed, Apr 15, 7:09 AM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave McLean
2026-04-15T05:21
Arrive Columbus
Wed, Apr 15, 6:15 AM EDT
Route Timing
00h 54m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:54 AM to 10:54 AM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:42 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in McLean
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Mount Sterling
OH

Human settlement in Madison County, Ohio, United States of America

From McLean
22.7 mi
00h 27m
To Columbus
21.3 mi
00h 27m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Chance Rain Showers

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 2:00 AM EDT
Wind
13 to 21 mph SW
Destination
86°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
8 to 14 mph SW

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between McLean and Columbus.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between McLean and Columbus.

  1. 1

    Start on Boyd Road Southeast

    6 m · 1 sec · Boyd Road Southeast

  2. 2

    Continue on Cisco Road

    1.5 km · 2 min · Cisco Road

  3. 3

    Turn right onto Old United States Highway 35 Southeast

    3.5 mi · 9 min · Old United States Highway 35 Southeast

  4. 4

    At the end of the road, turn right

    3.9 mi · 6 min

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn right onto State Route 3

    11.3 mi · 17 min · State Route 3

  6. 6

    Continue on Columbus-Washington C H Road

    1.5 mi · 2 min · Columbus-Washington C H Road

  7. 7

    Continue on West Columbus Street

    9 mi · 13 min · West Columbus Street

  8. 8

    Continue on Harrisburg Pike

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Harrisburg Pike

  9. 9

    Take the ramp right toward I 71 North: Columbus

    2543 ft · 1 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto South Freeway

    11.4 mi · 13 min · South Freeway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right toward I 71 North, I 70 East: Cleveland, Wheeling

    2063 ft · 46 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight left onto South Innerbelt

    1772 ft · 28 sec · South Innerbelt

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right

    2027 ft · 55 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto South Front Street

    2454 ft · 2 min · South Front Street

  15. 15

    Turn right onto West State Street

    1259 ft · 54 sec · West State Street

  16. 16

    Continue on East State Street

    32 m · 4 sec · East State Street

  17. 17

    Turn right

    27 m · 7 sec

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between McLean and Columbus.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
6 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
2 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
40.9 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Freeway
11.4 mi · 26%
State Route 3
11.3 mi · 26%
West Columbus Street
8.99 mi · 20%
Old United States Highway 35 Southeast
3.52 mi · 8%
Harrisburg Pike
1.67 mi · 4%
Columbus-Washington C H Road
1.47 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

South Freeway

Merge slight left onto South Freeway

11.4 mi · 00h 13m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 54m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 48m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+7 mi
37.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Mount Sterling
00h 27m from McLean
Leave By
4:42 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Rain Showers leaving McLean and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbus.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from McLean to Columbus?

The road trip is about 44.1 miles (70.9 km) and usually takes 00h 54m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Mount Sterling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 22.7 miles from McLean and 21.3 miles from Columbus.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 37.1 miles (59.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:42 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.74 one way or $11.49 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 13.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers around McLean and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Columbus.

Stop Ideas Near Mount Sterling

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Mount Sterling, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Mount Sterling.

BUS

Columbus, OH

35 mi away
111 East Town Street
RAIL

South Portsmouth–South Shore station

114 mi away
Main St & US 23

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between McLean and Columbus. Straight-line distance: 37.11 mi (59.73 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 McLean

Human settlement in United States of America

Population3,288
Coordinates39.4911700, -83.3368600
Altitude275
CountryUnited States
Columbus

#2 Columbus

The fifteenth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Columbus metropolitan area.

Population884,356
Coordinates39.9611800, -82.9987900
Altitude235
CountryUnited States
Start: Boyd Road Southeast (-83.336861, 39.491162)
End: East State Street (-82.998626, 39.960416)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 71 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 28m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 06m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 52m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 44m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 37m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 32m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.55 gal
5.88 L · about $5.74
Round trip
$11.49
3.1 gal · 11.76 L
Estimated CO2
13.8 kg one way
Round trip: 27.5 kg / 61 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.71 $5.74 $11.49
Mid-grade $4.24 $6.58 $13.15
Premium $4.79 $7.42 $14.85
Diesel $4.30 $6.67 $13.34

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Ohio · Apr 15, 2026

There is no time difference between McLean and Columbus. The current time is 05:21:11.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.